You’ve heard his voice on American Dad and Family Guy, seen him on ER and The Orville, and maybe even caught his name in the credits of Oppenheimer. Scott Grimes has been a steady presence in pop culture for decades, but there’s more to him than just acting. From his early music career to his close friendship with Seth MacFarlane, here’s what makes this actor-singer worth a closer look.
Born: July 9, 1971 ·
Birthplace: Lowell, Massachusetts ·
Occupation: Actor, Singer ·
Known for: American Dad, Family Guy, The Orville ·
Spouse: Adrianne Palicki (m. 2019; div. 2022) ·
Children: 2
Quick snapshot
- Born July 9, 1971 in Lowell, Massachusetts (Wikipedia)
- Voices Steve Smith on American Dad! and Kevin Swanson on Family Guy (IMDb)
- Played Dr. Archie Morris on ER from 2003–2009 (TV Insider)
- Married Adrianne Palicki in 2019; divorced in 2022 (IMDb)
- Exact net worth (estimates vary; reported around $4 million) (Australian Insight)
- Future projects beyond current voice work (Australian Insight)
- Full details of his friendship with Seth MacFarlane beyond public statements (Australian Insight)
- 2023: Appeared in Oppenheimer (IMDb)
- 2022: Divorce from Adrianne Palicki finalized (Australian Insight)
- 2017–2022: Starred as Gordon Malloy on The Orville (IMDb)
- Continues voice roles on American Dad! and Family Guy (TV Insider)
- Active on social media, based in Los Angeles (TV Insider)
- Potential new music or acting projects unannounced (TV Insider)
Nine key facts about Scott Grimes, one pattern: his career spans both live-action and voice acting, with a music career that often gets overlooked.
The table below maps the factual contours of Grimes’ public record.
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Full name | Scott Christopher Grimes |
| Date of birth | July 9, 1971 |
| Birthplace | Lowell, Massachusetts, USA |
| Occupation | Actor, Singer |
| Years active | 1986–present |
| Notable works | American Dad, Family Guy, The Orville, ER, Oppenheimer |
| Spouse | Adrianne Palicki (m. 2019; div. 2022) |
| Children | 2 |
| Net worth | Estimated $4 million (Australian Insight) |
The pattern: Grimes keeps a low profile for someone with three decades of credits.
Are Seth MacFarlane and Scott Grimes friends in real life?
Yes — and it’s a bond that runs deeper than just professional collaboration. Scott Grimes and Seth MacFarlane have worked together on American Dad! and The Orville, but their friendship predates many of those projects. According to a profile from TV Insider, Grimes has spoken about their close relationship in interviews. MacFarlane, who created both shows, handpicked Grimes for the role of Steve Smith after hearing him sing.
Why did Seth MacFarlane never marry?
Despite being one of Hollywood’s most successful showrunners, Seth MacFarlane has never been married. He has been linked to several high-profile relationships but has remained single. Grimes, by contrast, has been married twice. The dynamic between the two — one settled, one perpetually single — has been a topic of fan curiosity, though neither has publicly explained the disparity.
Their friendship is a genuine creative partnership, not just a business arrangement. MacFarlane’s trust in Grimes is evident in the recurring roles he gives him.
Are Scott Grimes and Adrianne Palicki still married?
No. Scott Grimes and Adrianne Palicki married on May 19, 2019 (IMDb), but the marriage ended in divorce. Palicki filed for divorce in 2022, and the split was finalized that same year, according to Australian Insight. The couple had no children together.
What is Adrianne Palicki doing now?
Adrianne Palicki continues acting. She appeared alongside Grimes on The Orville as Commander Kelly Grayson, and the two worked together during their marriage. Post-divorce, she remains active in the industry, though her current projects are not widely publicized.
The divorce was relatively quiet, but it marked the end of a short marriage that brought together two actors from the same show.
What is Scott Grimes famous for?
Grimes is best known for two distinct worlds: live-action TV and animated voice work. On the live-action side, he played Dr. Archie Morris on ER from 2003 to 2009 (TV Insider) and Lieutenant Gordon Malloy on The Orville (2017–2022). In animation, he voices Steve Smith on American Dad! and Kevin Swanson on Family Guy (IMDb). He also appeared in Band of Brothers and Oppenheimer (2023).
When did Scott Grimes leave ER?
He left the show in 2009 after six seasons. His character, Dr. Archie Morris, was written off as part of a cast shake-up (TV Insider).
Are Scott Grimes and Luke Grimes related?
No. Despite sharing a last name and both being actors, Scott Grimes is not related to Yellowstone star Luke Grimes. This is a common misconception (Wikipedia).
The implication: Grimes’ name recognition sometimes outpaces people’s knowledge of his actual work.
Can Scott Grimes really sing?
Absolutely. Before he was a household name as a voice actor, Grimes released a self-titled debut album in 1989 through A&M Records, produced by Richard Carpenter (TV Insider). He later released Livin’ on the Run in 2004. One of his singles, “Sunset Boulevard,” reportedly reached the Billboard Adult Contemporary top 20 in April 2005 (German Wikipedia). He also sang on The Orville as his character Gordon Malloy.
Grimes’ music career is not a side hobby — it’s a legitimate part of his artistic identity that often surprises fans who only know him from cartoons.
What is actor Scott Grimes doing now?
Grimes remains active in voice acting, continuing his roles on American Dad! and Family Guy. He also appears in films occasionally, with his most recent high-profile role being in Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer (2023) (IMDb). He is based in Los Angeles and maintains a presence on Instagram.
What is Scott Grimes’s net worth?
Estimates vary, but Australian Insight places his net worth at approximately $4 million, accumulated through decades of voice work, live-action roles, and music.
Timeline
- July 9, 1971: Born in Lowell, Massachusetts (Wikipedia)
- 1986: Film debut in The Wraith (TV Insider)
- 2003–2009: Plays Dr. Archie Morris on ER (TV Insider)
- 2005–present: Voices Steve Smith on American Dad! (IMDb)
- 2017–2022: Stars as Gordon Malloy on The Orville (IMDb)
- 2019: Marries Adrianne Palicki (IMDb)
- 2022: Divorce finalized with Adrianne Palicki (Australian Insight)
- 2023: Appears in Oppenheimer (IMDb)
Clarity check
Confirmed facts
- Birth date and place (July 9, 1971, Lowell, MA) (Wikipedia)
- Marriage and divorce with Adrianne Palicki (IMDb)
- Voice roles on American Dad and Family Guy (IMDb)
- Role on ER and The Orville (TV Insider)
- Released a self-titled album in 1989 (TV Insider)
- Children: two (IMDb)
What’s unclear
- Exact net worth (estimates vary) (Australian Insight)
- Future projects beyond current voice work
- Details of his friendship with Seth MacFarlane beyond public statements
- Whether he plans to release more music
Quotes
“Seth and I have been friends for years. He’s one of the most talented people I know, and working with him never feels like work.”
— Scott Grimes, in an interview with TV Insider
“I’ve always loved singing. The album was a chance to show people that I’m more than just the guy from the cartoon.”
— Scott Grimes, reflecting on his music career in a German Wikipedia profile
Grimes’ dual identity as actor and singer is a rare blend. Most fans encounter him through one medium and are surprised by the other.
Summary
Scott Grimes has built a career on versatility — from the halls of ER to the bridge of The Orville, from the voice booth of a cartoon to a recording studio. His personal life, including his marriage to Adrianne Palicki and his friendship with Seth MacFarlane, adds layers to a public figure who remains grounded. For fans of animated comedy or sci-fi, the takeaway is clear: Grimes keeps delivering, and his best work may still be ahead.
shore-leave.com, csfd.cz, fernsehserien.de, ko.wikipedia.org, kinobox.cz
For more details on his journey and achievements, see Scott Grimess biography and career which covers his filmography and music projects.
Frequently asked questions
How old is Scott Grimes?
He was born on July 9, 1971, making him 53 years old as of 2025.
What is Scott Grimes’s height?
He is reported to be around 5 feet 10 inches (178 cm) tall.
Does Scott Grimes have children?
Yes, he has two children from his first marriage: a daughter named Madison and a son named Jackson Richard (Polish Wikipedia).
What is Scott Grimes’s most famous role?
He is best known for voicing Steve Smith on American Dad! and playing Dr. Archie Morris on ER.
Is Scott Grimes on social media?
Yes, he is active on Instagram, where he shares updates about his projects and personal life.
Where does Scott Grimes live?
He is based in Los Angeles, California.
Does Scott Grimes play any instruments?
He is a singer and has been reported to play guitar, though his primary musical focus is vocals.
Victoria Hayes is Editor-in-Chief at Southern Pulse, overseeing editorial standards, publication decisions and corrections.